hard thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard thought" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered standard.
It could be used to describe a process of deep or intense thinking, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "After much hard thought, she decided to change her career path."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Who would have thought that the campaigns had actually succeeded in provoking American voters into hard thought and a real choice?

Huffington Post

Mr. Kluger, after hard thought, agreed.

The New York Times

But Bush does not give the impression that he has given hard thought to hard questions.

The New Yorker

But getting to grips with the motives behind such career choices took hard thought.

Independent

Joe Hill has clearly given a fair amount of hard thought to the problematics of horror.

The New York Times - Books

This was not the head talking, the result of hard thought or diligent reading of consultation papers.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

But he's doing the hard work, and thinking the hard thoughts, that they refused to do for far too long.

The New York Times

Even when Farrow is writing himself into a corner -- by scrambling the chronology of events, overexplaining his characters and letting scenes run on and on -- Cinq-Mars stands his ground, not saying much but thinking hard thoughts and, in the end, doing the right thing.

The New York Times - Books

Tough, hard-thought, intelligent textures – real painting, in other words – create realms of wilful play.

The Guardian - Arts

So they keep cheering, often disrupting the communications and hard-thought intentions of the visiting offense and becoming, in effect, what Seattle fans and others call the 12th man.

The New York Times - Sports

This final part of Richard Ford's Frank Bascombe trilogy occupies much the same terrain as The Sportswriter (1986) and the Pulitzer-winning Independence Day (1996) - the same peregrinations around suburban New Jersey, the same pondering of big questions disguised as small ones, the same hard-thought philosophies disguised as uplifting, small-town nostrums.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard thought" to emphasize the effort and intensity involved in thinking about a complex or challenging issue. For example, "The decision required some "hard thought" to fully grasp its implications."

Common error

While acceptable, "hard thought" can sometimes sound less natural than alternatives like "careful consideration" or "deep reflection". Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone and context of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "hard" modifies the noun "thought". It describes the quality or intensity of the thinking process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's an acceptable construction, often used to emphasize the effort involved in the thinking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard thought" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to describe a process of deep and intense thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, although it's not the most common way to express this concept. It appears frequently in news and media contexts, as well as academic settings. While there are no critical grammatical errors associated with its use, writers should consider alternatives like "deep consideration" or "intense reflection" depending on the specific context and desired tone. "Hard thought" is best used when you want to specifically emphasize the effort and concentration required for a task. Ludwig's examples provides further context on appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep consideration

Emphasizes the depth and thoroughness of the thinking process.

careful deliberation

Highlights the cautious and thoughtful nature of the decision-making process.

intense reflection

Focuses on the concentrated and profound nature of the thinking involved.

serious contemplation

Suggests a solemn and thoughtful consideration of the matter at hand.

extensive analysis

Emphasizes the comprehensive and detailed examination of the topic.

thorough examination

Focuses on the completeness and meticulousness of the review process.

rigorous scrutiny

Highlights the demanding and critical nature of the evaluation.

profound thinking

Emphasizes the depth and insightfulness of the thought process.

critical reasoning

Focuses on the analytical and evaluative aspects of the thinking process.

sober assessment

Suggests a balanced and realistic evaluation of the situation.

FAQs

What does "hard thought" mean?

"Hard thought" refers to a process of thinking that requires significant effort, concentration, and depth. It suggests a serious and thorough consideration of a matter.

Is "hard thought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hard thought" is grammatically acceptable, although it's not the most common phrasing. It's understandable and can be used effectively in writing.

What are some alternatives to "hard thought"?

You can use alternatives like "deep consideration", "careful deliberation", or "intense reflection" depending on the context.

How can I use "hard thought" in a sentence?

You can use "hard thought" to describe a difficult decision or a complex problem that requires careful consideration. For example, "After some "hard thought", I decided to accept the job offer."